Pony Express

Mustang Families,

Welcome back to school. It was wonderful to see our Mustangs back on campus this week as we kicked off our first week of 2026. I am incredibly grateful to have been announced as the Principal of O. Henry Middle School and honored to continue supporting our students and O. Henry community.

I invite you to join me for a Principal Meet and Greet on Thursday, January 15, from 5:30-6:30 PM in the café. I would love the opportunity to connect with families, answer questions, and continue building partnerships together

Camp O. Henry

This week, 133 of our 8th grade students traveled to Camp Buckner for Camp O. Henry. Students challenged themselves on both low and high ropes courses, ziplined, and even participated in the Polar Bear Plunge, which turned out to be far less polar than expected, but still a highlight for our Mustangs.

Ms. Claflin and I drove up to visit our campers on Thursday after school. By the evening, there was a chill in the air, and I was happy to break out my O. Henry sweatshirt. We gathered around the campfire, made s’mores, and enjoyed time visiting with students and staff.

The final activity of the day was a lip sync contest. Each student team selected a song and choreographed a routine with full team participation. Ms. Gaffney, Ms. Cook, Ms. Claflin, and I had the honor of serving as judges. Coach Wolfe’s team earned first place, but truly every routine was excellent.

I am so glad that our 8th graders and teachers were able to share in this memorable experience together.

Elementary School Visits

This week, we are excited to welcome our feeder elementary students to campus for tours of O. Henry. Casis and Barton Hills will visit on Monday, Mathews and Oak Hill on Tuesday, and Bryker Woods and Zilker on Friday. Please note that these are tours for students. Information regarding parent tours of the building can be found in our New Student newsletter.

Students will tour the building and enjoy performances from our band, orchestra, and choir. We are looking forward to welcoming our future Mustangs and sharing what makes O. Henry such a special place.

9th Grade Course Selection for School Year 26-27

Austin High School counselors will be visiting our 8th grade science classes on Tuesday, January 13, to assist students with selecting their 9th grade courses. Please ensure your 8th grader brings their draft choice sheet to school that day, as students will use it as a reference when entering their selections into the computer.

Be on the lookout for the 8th Grade Transition Newsletter, which will be shared later today with additional information.

Upcoming Events

• 1/12, 1/13, 1/16- Elementary School Visits to O. Henry

• 1/15-Meet and Greet with Principal Fillpot-Cafe', 5:30-6:30 PM

• 1/15- Boys Basketball vs. Lively MS

• 7th Grade at Lively

• 8th Grade at O. Henry

• 1/28 - O. Henry Course Sheet Fair, 5:30-7:00 PM

• 1/19- AISD School Holiday
  

• TBD - O. Henry Fine Arts Night
  
  

It is a great week to be an O. Henry Mustang.

With Mustang Pride,

Camie Fillpot

Principal,

O. Henry Middle School

Upcoming Events

Future Maroons, it’s almost time to pick your courses for Austin High! Please see below for upcoming dates regarding course selection.

Monday, Jan 12th: AHS will host an information session about course selection. Students/guardians will be able to select their courses with the help of AHS counselors. This event will take place at 6PM at Austin High School

Tuesday, Jan 13th: AHS counselors visit O. Henry during science classes to help 8th graders select their courses for AHS. Selections are final. Students will need to bring their choice sheets to school.

8th grade students who are applying to transfer into Austin High (or another high school) will be able to select their courses once their transfer is accepted. For transfer enrollment timelines and information, please see the Enroll Austin website.

UPCOMING DATES

Friday, February 20 at 8:30 a.m. - PTA General Meeting. Next round of Guest Speaker series Dawn Wible who has been working with the PTA on families and technology use.

PTA Nominating Committee

It's the time of year when we begin thinking about leadership for the upcoming school year. The PTA is recruiting a nominating committee, which has the responsibility of helping find qualified candidates for O. Henry's PTA leadership roles.

With just a couple of meetings required, this is a great way to support the school without a long term time commitment.

We are looking for interested parents and caregivers who would be willing to help between February and April of this year. If you are interested in more information, please contact Laura Lee Daigle at lauraleedaigle@gmail.com. Thank you for supporting the OHMS PTA!

• Morning Practice Schedule Week of January 5-9, 2026

  Only 7A, 7B, and 7B-Practice Squad will practice Tu and Fri @ 7am, and Wed @ 8:15am. No practice Mon or Thur. Coaches will make final roster decisions this week, and practice/game gear will be distributed. Game 1 is TH, 1.15.25 at Lively. NO more 7C morning practices. Please contact A/B coaches kevin.gaffney@austinisd.org or patrick.mcnally@austinisd.org with questions.

  
  

  7B-Practice Squad

  7B-Practice Squad players practice with the A/B Teams, but do NOT play in the A/B games. There MAY be instances during the season when one or more might be moved up to the B “game roster” (e.g., injuries, illness) - NO guarantees! These players are also welcome to work out with the C Team (in addition to A/B practice).

  
  

  7C Team

  7C will no longer practice in the morning. After the winter break, all 7C practices / games will be AFTER school. 7C players will join our Off Season group during 1st Period Athletics. More information about after school 7C team practices and games will come out by the beginning of next semester. The 7C Team coaches are Coach Brouillard (tyler.brouillard@austinisd.org) and Coach Carvelli (cameron.carvelli@austinisd.org). Please contact them directly with 7C Team questions.

  
  

Basketball tryouts were held Monday, December 1st to Friday, December 5th.

The list of students who made A and B team has been posted in the Athletics wing.

If a student-athlete does not make the cuts they will begin the year on the C-team with an opportunity to move up as the season progresses.

Further information re: scheduling of games is forthcoming.

FCA is having it's first HUDDLE meeting this Thursday morning at 7:30 in the Big Gym. Please make sure you've approved your student to attend OHMS School sponsored clubs in order to attend. Hope to see you there!

We know that some of our Mustang families may be struggling to get the food they need right now. If you are a family in need of help getting food and other necessities, please email ivy.claflin@austinisd.org. Need extra food support outside of school? These community partners can help you find assistance in your area. Please let us know if you would like help finding a food pantry in your area.

- Central Texas Food Bank

- Travis County Food Pantry

- United Way for Greater Austin

- Sustainable Food Center

- Texas Health and Human Services - Call 2-1-1 or (877) 541-7905 to speak to a live operator.

Without signed consent, your child will not be able to receive these services or participate in any clubs.

1. Mental Health-Related Services
   The district must notify parents of staff services related to school counseling and give parents the opportunity to opt out before those services are provided to their child. Mental Health Services Consent Form: English/Spanish
   
   

2. Physical Health-Related Services
   Certain school-based health services, such as non-emergency medical screenings or treatments, now require your written permission.
   Physical Health Services Consent Form
   
   

3. Participation in school-sponsored Student Clubs
   If your child wishes to participate in school or district-sponsored clubs or organizations, parental approval is required. (You may have already received and completed this form if it was previously sent by your school.)
   Student Club Participation Consent Form

In addition to support in class, each teacher holds an hour of before school, after school, or lunch tutorials for students to get help on a concept, make up assessments, or connect in a smaller teacher to student ratio.

Expert tips for successful tutorial visits include

• Ensure your teacher knows you are coming - ideally confirm the date with them beforehand and the specific assessment or grade you need help with so they are prepared for you.
• Spend time figuring out "what you know" and "what you know you don't know." Teachers will be better equipped to help you master a learning concept if we can identify gaps.
• Come prepared with all materials - if you have a specific paper assignment, bring it. Your Chromebook should always be fully charged at the start of every school day.
• Be respectful of other students in tutorials, consider collaboration. Before and after an important assessment, there will likely be many students who need help with the same concepts. Understand that your teacher will offer as much individual assistance as they can but may work with you and your peers in a group on a concept if needed.

Please make use of our Bell Schedules for planning doctor's visits, other pickups from school. These times reflect bell transitions on C Days (Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays,) and A/B Days (Wednesdays/Thursdays.)

House Bill 1481 - Student Device Rules: What Parents and Students Need to Know

Grades and Attendance: Parents will find their student's grades, schedules, and other key information in the Frontline Parent Portal (access instructions linked.) While students may access content on the BLEND or Google Classroom platforms (see instructors' syllabi for more detail,) Frontline is the only official record for grades in Austin ISD.

Lunch Money in AISD: Guardians are able to deposit money into a student's account for school purchases. Guardians must make an account at https://www.schoolcafe.com/AUSTINISD

Bus Transportation: Students who take AISD buses will be picked up and dropped off on Wayside Dr on the east side of the property. The map to the side shows our bus lane. Families use the Where's the Bus through the AISD Portal or the phone app to track bus arrival times. Students pick up and drop off in the same place on Wayside Drive. Link to AISD's Bus Transportation Department homepage with contact information. Families seeking a "bus pass" to ride a route that they are not zoned to cannot be placed on routes for the first two weeks of school until space for zoned riders is confirmed. More information is available 7:45 am to 4:45 pm Monday though Friday at 512-414-0238.

Car Riders, Walkers, and Map: We understand that car dropoff can be a stressful time for families, especially at the beginning of the year for unfamiliar drivers and passengers. The map to the side shows the main drop off areas as well as the bus lane. While we do not close the street to eastbound traffic, having cars travel westbound on 10th Street is the safest option so that students do not have to cross in front of traffic or risk opening doors into traffic.

Staying on Campus Once Dropped Off: A reminder to all students, whether walkers, car riders, or bus riders, that once your mode of transportation has brought you to campus, you may not leave the campus to visit HEB, 7/11, or other locations. Students may not leave the property without being checked out by their guardian.

School Accounts

Facebook: facebook.com/ohenryms

Instagram: @ohenryms

X/Twitter: @ohenryms

Clubs and Organizations

Band on Instagram: @ohms_mustangband

Library on Instagram @ohenryreads